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[QUOTE=TOMCAT;1567536]Can anyone relate about moving

I doubt if anyone can really give meaningful advice to you on this. Those who stay here, mostly like it. Those that have moved or are considering a move have a different story and or they took their story with them. Best we can say is step very carefully and perhaps the best advice is to talk to homeowners who are selling and see if they will give you a realistic answer. There are many sides to this story, some good, some not so good.

[EPutnam1863]

[QUOTE=bbbbbb;1569752]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

Can anyone relate about moving

I doubt if anyone can really give meaningful advice to you on this. Those who stay here, mostly like it. Those that have moved or are considering a move have a different story and or they took their story with them. Best we can say is step very carefully and perhaps the best advice is to talk to homeowners who are selling and see if they will give you a realistic answer. There are many sides to this story, some good, some not so good.

Thank you for using this word. It is rare that this word is used within this context in these forums.

[cypress]

Excellent post. Thank you!!

Originally Posted by Chaser

I have lived in The Villages for almost 2 years. I moved here from the NW mountain states leaving behind long, rough, winters. The Villages has much to offer but in the end it’s not for me. That being said one word can sum up the greatest advantage here: convenience. You can ride your golf cart to the supermarket, doctor, dentist, bank, shopping, dining, entertainment and more.

They say that it’s common for people to go into a home sales contract on their first visit. But that’s easy to understand. If you live out of state and have a limited amount of time to visit, The Villages holds all the cards. Their bus tour followed by a Villages realtor home tour, along with the multitudes of country clubs, rec centers, hobby clubs, 3 squares, can be a compelling experience for a short period of time. But after living here I really don’t care that there are 15 country clubs or 40+ pools within 5 miles of me. All I really care about is what is close to me. The Squares included.

With a population of over 150,000 retired residents, there is a massive service machine that has grown to meet the demands of people that no longer want to do yard work, home repairs, insect treatments, lawn treatments, and nearly everything else. The hundreds of yard crews (which the owner must find themselves) fly around like bumblebees to each house in each neighborhood (Village) mowing, edging, trimming, fixing, cleaning, and blowing. It can get noisy early in the mornings and since most homes are very close to each other even your neighbor’s crew can wake you at times. The Villages can be a VERY busy place.

The location in the state is very rural. Landlocked of course. The Villages border 3 small towns, Wildwood, Lady Lake, and Fruitland Park. It is somewhat close to the larger city/town of Leesburg. But the Villages based on its population and size takes the spotlight. There is very little local “culture” here besides what is driven or flown in. They do have concerts, shows, and festivals on their squares. But all of it might as well have been airdropped in. There is no indigenous city to go to to enjoy yourself or participate in any of their activities or festivals unless you drive 30-50 minutes away. Outside of the entertainment, shows etc, chain restaurants like Bob Evans, Golden Corral, & Red Lobster are the mainstays.

During “snowbird” season November-April the population grows by about 40%. It gets very crowded as golf vacationers come down and during that period many bring their sons and daughters and their kids down during many parts of that period to visit them as well. This results in large increases of traffic, wait lines for restaurants, driving accidents, even DUIs in golf carts, and just crowds for nearly everything can be tiresome. There can be some contention/resentment between the visiting seasonal “snowbirds” and the “frogs” (full-timers). As stated, it is a substantial population increase and subsequent demands on the available facilities.

In terms of homes if you like varieties of earth tones cast in siding and stucco you’ll like it here. Uniformity is key. But many homeowners have large disposable retirement incomes so outdoor projects from driveway designs, to edging creations, bird cages with swimming pools and much more drive the Jones to try and outdo one another. The Villages IS NOT a controlled entry gated community. The gates are primarily for traffic and flow control. Simply press a button and you’ll be let in. No questions asked.

In summary, there is much to do here. But as many have coined the term, it’s a “bubble” and many residents would have it no other way. If/when you come to visit don’t let the hoopla overwhelm you into a rash decision. Florida has numerous 55+ communities many that are closer to the coasts and larger cities. While 150,000 residents may sound appealing the “bubble” can get tiresome. Driving through traffic circles back and forth to get nearly everywhere amongst many elderly drivers can get old quick if you are planted by living there. There is a lot of like for sure but for me a lot to dislike also. The entire state of Florida is popular for retirees look around carefully. Bigger is not always better.

[HandyGrandpap]

Originally Posted by TOMCAT

Can anyone relate about moving to the Villages as being uncertain if this is the right thing to do. And if so, what happened after you moved there. We are getting ready to make that move.

TOMCAT,
Thanks for starting this post!! Perhaps one of the most interesting and introspective ever posted, truly causes all of us to pause and think about the various open and honest comments. Time is limited and thanks to all the open comments as for me enabled a reflection on what's important in life, values and the process for making decisions and how we are all different but yet so similar. Great post!!!

[tomwed]

I'm going to boil it down. Rent during the shoulder seasons. The weather is better, the rates are lower, the risk is minimal.

[pjwjpb]

Once you move to the Villages the Villages Mafia has a hold of you. Think it over long and hard. It's turning into a rental community and a
Haven for young adults occupying their grandparents homes. If we wanted to be a part of a rental community we would've made that decision. Many peoplel purchase homes then leave them unoccupied or rent them out to anyone who pays without background checks. Some properties are unkept and the Villages do nothing. It's free advertising so they continue to allow it. Things need to change. We are not happy as we thought we purchased in a community that is safe.Anyone can get through the gates so we really do not need to swipe our cards. It's just a selling feature. But if we were to sell we would lose out.

[tBOSCH]

I've read some very wise responses here. We have been coming to TV for about 10 years as both parents have migrated south. We will be retiring and moving permanently in Dec to TV. I see you have been a member of TOTV since 2009. Do you already know what the rest of us know? Have you been coming here for a while? I have seen a few come down here, buy and not like it. I don't know their reasons. But, I can tell you a few main reasons someone would not like it here; the heat (it gets hot in Florida), missing their family and established friendships back home or they are home bodies and are not interested in all the amenities TV has to offer. So, I think you are the only one who knows for you, if it is the right thing to do. Good Luck in your decision macking.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by pjwjpb

Once you move to the Villages the Villages Mafia has a hold of you. Think it over long and hard. It's turning into a rental community and a
Haven for young adults occupying their grandparents homes. If we wanted to be a part of a rental community we would've made that decision. Many peoplel purchase homes then leave them unoccupied or rent them out to anyone who pays without background checks. Some properties are unkept and the Villages do nothing. It's free advertising so they continue to allow it. Things need to change. We are not happy as we thought we purchased in a community that is safe.Anyone can get through the gates so we really do not need to swipe our cards. It's just a selling feature. But if we were to sell we would lose out.

You WOULD make money if you were to sell.

That isn't so in the two places we have lived or any of our friends neighborhoods. Or in any of the neighborhoods we have driven through and that is a LOT.

WHAT and WHO is the "Villages Mafia" and how do they have a hold of you?


All three of your posts have been unhappy. I wish I could help.

[Garden guru]

We moved here five years ago and have given The Villages the old college try. We're now getting ready to move out. We miss city amenities: shopping malls (Closest decent malls in Orlando), cultural events (Orlando or Tampa), sporting events (Tampa or Jacksonville), major medical centers (Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville), etc. We wish we'd rented for a year before buying; that would have given us enough time to see what living in The Villages on a permanent basis is really like. This place is out in the middle of nowhere, and we sometimes feel like we're living in a third world country. A one week lifestyle visit or a month or two of renting are just not long enough to realize all of the things that are missing. Day-to-day living involves needing more than oldies music at a square or joining a club. If a person is from a more rural area, The Villages might be the cat's meow, but we're from a city, and this place is not for us.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by Brynnie

We have lived full time in TV since 2005, and I still have to go back to get my "Ohio fix" for a couple of weeks every summer or fall. If I had it to do over, I would have at best been a snowbird because I have found that the brutal summer heat of Florida is intolerable and for me is a trigger of migraine headaches. What fun is it to stay indoors and run from air conditioned building to air conditioned building for 5 or 6 months? I often think about possibly moving back north, but my spouse likes it here, and I don't want to be selfish. As one of the other responders said, 90 degrees in Ohio doesn't feel nearly as oppressive as 90 degrees in Florida. We could always count on a cold front coming through and cooling us off during the summer. Not so in Florida, where the summer heat and humidity are constant.

I would advise anyone thinking of moving to TV to think about their heat tolerance and love of changing seasons, especially if moving here full time.

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidity is really that intolerable. We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those thinking of relocating, expecting it to be a paradise where one can play golf and tennis every single day of the year.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Garden guru

We moved here five years ago and have given The Villages the old college try. We're now getting ready to move out. We miss city amenities: shopping malls (Closest decent malls in Orlando), cultural events (Orlando or Tampa), sporting events (Tampa or Jacksonville), major medical centers (Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando, or Jacksonville), etc. We wish we'd rented for a year before buying; that would have given us enough time to see what living in The Villages on a permanent basis is really like. This place is out in the middle of nowhere, and we sometimes feel like we're living in a third world country...

When we go to Florida Mall in Orlando, I feel like we're in a third world country. For that reason, we've been going to Oaks Mall in Gainesville. However, after our trip last week and with kids out of school, I realized how nice it was to shop in and around TV without a million screaming kids everywhere.

In June we made trips to both Seaworld in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa. Honestly, I couldn't wait to get back to TV. After seven years here, it's hard being around that many young people and feeling so out of place. At MVP at Brownwood where I go 3 or 4 times a week and workout with a majority of folks my own age (68), I can feel like a young person myself. To each their own, Good Luck on your move.

Originally Posted by EPutnam1863

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidyt is really that intolerable.We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those too naive to realize and admit it is hot for a long time.

The heat and humidity are not intolerable to all of us, some of us truthfully don't mind it. I have friends though who would definitely not be happy here. Thankfully not everyone wants to move to Florida.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by EPutnam1863

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidyt is really that intolerable.We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those too naive to realize and admit it is hot for a long time.

It is surprising that, given your intolerance of heat and humidity, you are thinking of buying a home once again in Florida.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by EPutnam1863

Thank you for your honesty. I have a hard time understanding why there are so many Floridians who refuse to admit the heat and humidity is really that intolerable. We lived in FL three times and know they are denying it all which I think is doing a disservice to those thinking of relocating, expecting it to be a paradise where one can play golf and tennis every single day of the year.

I agree with fw's reply to your post. Not everyone is intolerant to the heat. And for those who are, it seems that many feel it is worth tolerating to avoid the snow and enjoy the lifestyle that TV offers.

Nothing is perfect......but TV is close. You don't think so and that's okay. Not sure why others not agreeing with you bothers you so much. I don't know about doing a disservice. If you check out reviews about living in any part of the country, you are going to see some who love it and some who don't. We are all adults and should do our own due diligence in checking things out no matter where one chooses to retire.

[HandyGrandpap]

I commend TOMCAT for seeking input. The cost of relocating back home is significant including closing cost to sell up north, closing cost to by in TV, closing cost to repurchase back home, closing cost to sell the home in TV, plus moving expenes, plus trying to replace the home you sold back home, loss of appreciation of the home sold back home as that home most likely appreciated more than the home in TV DUE to massive build out here. I suspect a lot of folks who regret the move here, due to the various financial and emotional cost of moving back, bite the bullet and try to make the best of the move.